Shah Alam police seized 1,019 cans and 392 bottles of alcoholic drinks of various brands, worth RM15,000, in a raid dubbed “Methanol Operation” at two shop premises in Section 25, Shah Alam last night following the case of alcohol poisoning which claimed many lives.
Shah Alam District Police chief Baharudin Mat Taib said in the four-hour operation which began at 9pm, two male workers were remanded at the two premises, believed to have been selling alcoholic drinks illegally over the past six months.
“A local worker is being remanded until Sept 21 while another worker, a Myanmar national is remanded until Oct 2 under the Immigration Act.
“The case is being investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967 which carries a penalty of up to 10 times the amount of custom duty or a maximum jail term of three years, upon conviction,” he said in a media conference here today.
The police viewed seriously the illegal sales of alcohol and in efforts to curb the illicit activity, he said 20 raids were carried out since early this year until this month and 6,128 cans as well as 3,320 bottles of alcoholic drinks worth about RM60,000 were seized.
He said 12 cases were prosecuted under Section 76 of the Excise Act and the Immigration Act with a fine of between RM2,000 and RM4,000.
“We want to stress that police enforcement has been continuously conducted since early this year, not just because of the alcohol poisoning case. We are constantly monitoring sales of illegal alcohol in this district,” he added.
So far the Health Ministry has confirmed 19 deaths, with 14 people still in critical condition and another nine being warded for treatment and observation due to methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
- Bernama
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